Ever Since I Confessed, She Has Been Acting Strange - CHAPTER 5: SUMMER VACATION ARC

Episode 30: The Best

—- When it comes to Tendou Hoshine, there is probably no one in the upper echelons who does not know her.

Her uniqueness stood out not only among ordinary citizens, but even among those who occupied the highest ranks of this world.

Her beauty was like a goddess.

Her intellect was that of a sage.

The phrase “flawless perfection” might as well have been coined for her, for in truth, I have never seen a greater victor than the girl named Tendou Hoshine.

And I…

Foolishly, I continued to harbor an inferiority complex toward Tendou Hoshine, feeling a sense of defeat of my own making.

And yet…

“……Hey. Eito.”

“Y-yes…?”

“What exactly are you doing over there?”

Tendou Hoshine maintained a bright, cheerful smile – yet it was clear that she was desperately holding something back.

Lord Eito may not realize it, but I do.

She is jealous.

Tendou Hoshine-

A girl who is like the embodiment of the goddess of the word, wise and flawless perfection –

Is jealous of me.

(Is that… Tendou Hoshine?)

I couldn’t believe it.

To see her – so completely imperfect.

“U-um, well… Lady Shigen’in suddenly disappeared, so I became worried and started looking for you. As the esteemed daughter of the Shigen’in family, there is always the risk of kidnapping or other dangers…”

“Hmmmmmm? Ohhhhhhhhhh really?”

“Uh… M-My Lady…?”

“………Eito.”

“O-Otoha-san…”

“………The esteemed daughter of the Shigen’in family suddenly disappeared. Suspecting the possibility of kidnapping – I can understand that.”

“O-oh, I see. That’s a relief…”

“………Then why exactly are you standing so close to her?”

“Huh?”

What Habaku Otoha was pointing at was the way I was leaning against Eito-sama’s chest.

Was that why both Tendou Hoshine and Habaku Otoha were in such a bad mood? Because of something like this?

Those two – the impeccable noble lady and the famous singer –

Both of them were equally shaken to such an extent.

“Uh, well… this is…”

“I was the one who requested it.”

At my statement – like a lifeline thrown his way – Eito-sama visibly sighed in relief.

But instead of pulling away, I wrapped my arms around him even tighter, pressing my body against his even more than before.

Intentionally, deliberately, I pressed my rather ample chest against him.

“—-……”

I could almost hear a faint crack coming from the two in front of me.

Eito-sama must have sensed the change in the atmosphere as well. Although he said nothing, cold sweat began to form on his forehead.

“I suddenly felt a bit unwell…”

“Oh my, that sounds serious. I’ll introduce you to an excellent doctor right away, so please step away from him.”

“Don’t worry. If you can’t walk, we’ll push you into the car ourselves.”

“Rest assured, thanks to Eito-sama’s gentle care, I’m already feeling much better.”

“E-Eito-sama…!”

Seeing the two of them shaking so easily, I felt the tension in my shoulders disappear.

At the same time, all the things that I had been stubbornly fixating on suddenly seemed utterly ridiculous.

(…So that’s it. Tendou Hoshine is just like me.)

The flawless noble lady was only one side of her.

She was also just a girl in love who was simply shaken by the presence of another girl next to the boy she liked.

That too was just another facet of her.

She was just a person, like everyone else. Not just perfect.

Realizing that made my heart feel lighter.

“Eito-sama. Can I ask you a favor?”

“A favor?”

“If it’s a favor, don’t ask Eito – the entire Tendou family will mobilize to make it happen, no matter what.”

“Don’t hold back. Ask us, not Eito.”

Seeing the two of them so obviously nervous, a small, mischievous spark ignited within me.

“Fufu. A nice offer, but this is something only Eito-sama can grant me… Eito-sama, may I borrow your ear?”

“H-huh…? Uh, sure… go ahead.”

Thinking that I wanted to whisper something, Eito-sama leaned in, his expression completely unguarded.

But instead of his ear, I brought my face close to his cheek –

and gently pressed my lips against it.

“Eh?”

“—-Wha…?”

It was as if time itself had frozen.

In the stunned silence, I remained completely unfazed, offering only a graceful, ladylike smile.

“Fufu… just a small token of my gratitude.”

Even Eito-sama seemed to be at a loss for words for once.

He remained frozen in shock – just like Tendou Hoshine and Habaku Otoha.

“D-did you just… k-kiss… Eito…?”

Tendou Hoshine’s voice trembled as she questioned me, her disbelief evident.

In response, I simply gave her a smile – one full of playful mischief.

“Oh dear. Judging by your reaction… fufu, does that mean I was the first?”

“～～～～～～～～っ…!”

It seemed that I had hit the mark. Tendou Hoshine’s face was flushed, trembling with silent indignation.

A sight so precious, I almost felt like I should pay admission to witness it.

“Well then, everyone, have a nice day.”

After a graceful curtsy, I quietly took my leave.

“Y-You better remember this, you thieving cat…”

Tendou Hoshine’s desperate, almost defeated howl came from behind me.

And I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I never imagined that my first victory over you… would come from something as simple as this.”

As I stepped into the Shigen’in family’s car that was waiting nearby, I pressed my fingers lightly to my lips, savoring the lingering warmth.

“………I won’t give up being Eito-sama’s number one.”